Ndoma Emmanuel G, George Nyakno J, Ekanem Aniekan M, Orosun Muyiwa M, Ahamad Taufiq, Adesina Kolawole E, Kaur Sarabjot, Bello Suleiman, Akinyemi Anjolaoluwa, Agbo Emmanuel, Essiett Aniesua
Department of Physics, Akwa Ibom State University, Mkpat Enin, Nigeria; Department of Physics, University of Cross River State, Calabar, Nigeria.
Department of Physics, Akwa Ibom State University, Mkpat Enin, Nigeria.
J Environ Radioact. 2025 Nov;290:107809. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107809. Epub 2025 Sep 16.
Welding is a fundamental aspect of industrial development, yet it involves notable radiological hazards due to the presence of primordial radionuclides in electrodes. This study measured the radioactivity concentrations of K, U, and Th in six types of commercially available electrodes using gamma-ray spectrometry with a NaI(Tl) detector. The analysis was complemented with a suite of statistical methods, including the Shapiro-Wilk test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), to interpret patterns in radionuclide distribution, inter-variable relationships, and the multivariate structure of the dataset. The results confirmed the presence of radioactive isotopes in all electrode types, indicating potential health risks to welders, metalworkers, and the public through inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion. Activity concentrations ranged from 192.48 to 731.81 Bq kg for K, 9.17-45.76 Bq kgfor U, and 17.81-34.37 Bq kg for Th. While electrodes coated with rutile and titanium (stainless and cast-gauge 12 types) showed levels below international averages in terms of absorbed dose, effective dose, and annual gonadal dose, thoriated electrodes exceeded these global standards. Notably, all electrode types surpassed the global threshold for excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR). PCA revealed that over 98 % of the data variability was captured by the first component, confirming strong co-variation among radioactivity levels and associated risk indices. To reduce health risks, it is recommended that electrode packaging include radiological warnings and that welding be performed in well-ventilated or open-air environments. Optimising radionuclide levels across electrode types and implementing protective measures are essential for occupational safety.
焊接是工业发展的一个基本方面，但由于电极中存在原生放射性核素，它涉及到显著的放射危害。本研究使用碘化钠（铊）探测器通过伽马射线能谱法测量了六种市售电极中钾、铀和钍的放射性浓度。分析还辅以一系列统计方法，包括夏皮罗-威尔克检验、方差分析、皮尔逊相关分析和主成分分析（PCA），以解释放射性核素分布模式、变量间关系以及数据集的多变量结构。结果证实所有电极类型中均存在放射性同位素，这表明焊工、金属工人和公众通过吸入、皮肤接触和摄入可能面临健康风险。钾的活度浓度范围为192.48至731.81贝克勒尔/千克，铀为9.17 - 45.76贝克勒尔/千克，钍为17.81 - 34.37贝克勒尔/千克。虽然涂有金红石和钛的电极（不锈钢和铸造规格12种类型）在吸收剂量、有效剂量和年度性腺剂量方面显示低于国际平均水平，但含钍电极超过了这些全球标准。值得注意的是，所有电极类型都超过了全球终身癌症风险（ELCR）阈值。主成分分析表明，超过98%的数据变异性由第一成分捕获，证实了放射性水平与相关风险指数之间存在强烈的协变关系。为降低健康风险，建议电极包装应包含放射警告，并且焊接应在通风良好或露天环境中进行。优化各类电极的放射性核素水平并实施保护措施对于职业安全至关重要。
